By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

The Lowndes County Commission has approved a three-year garbage collection contract extension with Purdie & Sons with a 90-day provision. The Commission will also repair the Hayneville Plaza Ballroom storm damage.

The actions were among those taken by the Lowndes County Commission at its regular Monday, Feb. 10 meeting.

Commissioner Carnell McAlpine announced last August that in the later part of July there was storm damage to the Hayneville Plaza. He said the Plaza Ballroom has been closed until renovations and repairs can be made.

In January the Commission voted to table action to spend some $48,000 to repair storm damage to the ballroom at Hayneville Plaza.

Commissioner Brenson Crenshaw said at the time, “We lost revenue by not having that part of the building available.”
Monday Crenshaw moved that repairs be made to the ballroom which was approved with Commissioner Joseph Barganier abstained.

When asked, Crenshaw the repairs will cost the county between $45,000 and $48,000.

Under the heading of consent agenda items the Commission approved:
Invoices for the month of January, minutes from its December meeting, the collection of ad valorem taxes, he leveling of an alcohol licenses at the maximum state charges, an appropriation to the Lowndes County Community Life Center of $2,250, an appropriation to the Senior Olympics of $500 and an appropriation to the STEP Program of $3,000.

Crenshaw said the Community Life Center appropriation was in connection with Diamonds and Pearls and Boys to Men mentoring program for youngsfers from middle school age to high school.

The Commission voted to advertise a Title III van to be sold for a minimum bid of $3,000 and appointed Robert Overstreet to replace Spencer Edwards, who resigned on the E911 Board.

McAlpine asked Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams to increase patrol on County Road 13 because people are drag racing on the new asphalt and “there are safety issues.”

And Crenshaw advised the public to note that the new posted speed limit on Lowndes County Roads 2 and 13 is 25 miles per hour.